"Once upon a time, there was a planet populated by many species, one in particular that had a unique diet. In addition to the basics that they had in common with the other species on the planet, they needed a special resource. Without it, they felt starved, stressed, distracted, uneasy, and unable to function. So there was intense competition for this one special resource. It was as invisible as air, but people could track who was getting it and who wasn't."
"These creatures could talk about this invisible resource, but only indirectly. Seeking it, the creatures called it proud, positive names. They talked in romantic terms about how it's an infinite, abundant, magical resource that everyone should be able to get to their satisfaction. Seeking not to share it, they gave it insulting and shameful names, as if it were something only weak and sinful creatures would crave."
"Some of the creatures learned how to hoard this resource, amassing vast quantities for themselves by depriving others of it. The deprived creatures were ambivalent about the hoarders. They called them greedy and selfish, but they also envied them. Many flocked to be as close to the hoarders as they could get, hoping some of the wealth might trickle down to them."
A species requires an invisible, essential resource in addition to basic needs. Without that resource individuals feel starved, stressed, distracted, uneasy, and unable to function. Open discussion of the need is taboo and admitting hunger risks deprivation; accusing others of craving it increases the accuser’s access. Seekers use flattering language to describe the resource as infinite, abundant, and magical; those who hoard it are labeled greedy yet envied. Scarcity triggers conflict over the resource, which depletes the resource further and consumes other vital resources, threatening planetary sustainability. That resource is self-confidence, often renamed with words like love or connection.
Read at Psychology Today
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